Jerome wheelock



JEROME WHEELOK, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No.v 99,990,d ated February l5, 1870.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may conce-ra Be it known that I, JEROME WHEELOCK, of Worbester, in the county1 of Worcester, and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improve- 'ments in Springs for Steam Piston Packing; and L do hereby' declare that the following .is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation thereof', which will enable others skilled in the art to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which make a part of this Specihcation, iu which* Figure 1 is an elevation of a segmental steam packixg ingto which my improved springs have been appie Figure 2 represents a segment of said ring, with a part ofthe side removed, the better to show a part of the spring.

Same letters of reference refer to like` parts in both A figures.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class 'of pistons in which sectional adjustable or other expansive packing rings are used, and which require to be partially held in place' by the action of springs, to insure more perfect action of the steam in holdingr them to the inner surface of the cylinder.

The invention consists in combining with au adjustable expansive packing ring a series of springs, which are made in a double elliptic form, andot' such a shape and arrangement with each other, and with the packing rings, as will cause th'e said packing rings to be kept slightly pressedvzout against the cylinder, and at Ithe same time give the rings a revolving motion the whole of which, with their action, will be hereinafter more fully explained. j

A represents a sectional metallic expansive steam packing ring, composed of four, more or less, segments,

the ends of which are so arranged and fitted as to break joints with each other. f

This ring may be used in connection with a pistou f provided with one or more annular grooves turnedv on its periphery, into which grooves the rings should be loosely htted. They should be turned the same diameter as the bore of the cylinder, and by the arrangement ofthe joints they are allowed to expand to compensate fcr any wear.

Inside of each segment are cast or made cavities or i pockets, (see fig. 2,) which extend outward.

1n each of'these pockets are fitted the double elliptic springs B.

The segments A are mainly pressed out by the action of the steam in the cylinder; but in order to prevent the rings from collapsing when no steam is used, when the segments are partially worn away, it has been found necessary to use a spring to keep them at all times slightly pressed against the inner surface of the cylinder.

Many devices have heretofore been tried, and much damg'e and waste of steam have .been caused by the use ot' adjustable steam packing, which might have been averted by the useof a proper spring. l

In many cases a stili spring has been used, pressing the packing firmly against the 'inner surface of the cylinder, thereby causing the same to be' scratched and roughed when the piston was moved Without steam.

In' other cases a spring has been used which soon wears or becomes set, thereby being of' no 'value for the purpose intended. y I

To overcome these and other objections, 'and perfect the operation of steam adjustable piston packing, I have invented the within described spring. I have appliedl it to a large number of engines of various styles' within the last year, audit has been found most successful in its operations.

By reference to iig. 2, it will be seen that the `pocky ets in the segments are made longer at their bottom.

It will also be seen that 'the short wingv of springs B are curved inward, or in opposite direction to the longerl or outside wing.

The springs should be made of a proper width to correspond with the width of the pockets in the segment-s. They should be properly rounded at c, lig; 2,

to admit of an easy action, and to allow the wings of the springs to act independent of each other.

The length of theshort wing should be such as to allow the ends to come nearly against each end of the pocket. This wing should be slightly curved inward.

The outer or longer wing Ot' the spring should 'be of .such avlength as that when it is compressed it will come directly under the joint of the packing, and it should be curved to give the necessaryV aniount'of spring action, which may be varied according to circumstances.

Their operation is as follows:

The packing rings haifing'been tted to the grooves of a properly constructed piston, and the springs properly fitted into the pockets ofthe segments,- care being taken to have the outer ends of the springs all point in one andthe same direction. Now, by compressing the ends ofthe springs closely under each joint, and placing the packing in its proper place in the cylinder, it will be seenthat by liberatingthe springs the extreme eud will take a bearing on the bottom ofthe groove in the piston.

It will also be seen that this end comes in Contact with the bottom of the groove at a point not directly opposite to its center line, and all the ends bearing in the same direction, and acting in connection with the motion of the piston, will give a rotary motion to the' packing rings, thereby changing their position in the grooves, and causing the cylinder and packing surfaces vto wear extremely smooth. l

elasticity and ease of action are obtained within a small Having thus described my invention,

space, as both wings of' the springs are a'ected simul- What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pattaneou'sly, and the elasticity of the short wingis transent, is-

mit-ted to the longer Wing by its being confined in the In combination with the packing ring A, the springs pocket at c, and any compression of Vche longer wing B, the latter fitted to the former, and operating subtends to 'straighten the curved part of Jche short; Wing, stantially "as shown and described.

thereby confining it more firmly in the pocket. JEROME WVHEELOCK.

The spring also acts in a manner to keep the joints pressed together, and should any wear result; from long Witnesses:

use, it will be at the extreme end, causing no injury L. B. MARCH,

to the spring. GEO. H. SOUTHWICK. 

